Local government officials from jurisdictions across Sandoval County are expected to join state and federal legislators for a Collaboration Summit on Wednesday, October 14, 2015.

This meeting is designed for government leaders to seek joint solutions to issues that affect all county residents. Topics to be discussed include:

• Regional Economic Development
• Delivery of health services, including mental health treatment
• Strategies for maintaining and building infrastructure such as roads, bridges,
   flood-control and water systems
• Ideas for improving transportation networks
• Criminal justice and public safety issues.

“This summit is an opportunity for all government leaders within Sandoval County to come together to identify and have an open dialogue on issues that affect our communities,” said Sandoval County Manager Phillip Rios, who organized the summit at the request of the county commission. “Engaging in strategic conversation and bringing together different perspectives will bridge a gap and create a shared vision of how to address these issues.”

More than 50 government officials from municipalities, villages and pueblos in the county have confirmed their intention to attend the summit, as well as representatives from the Jicarilla Apache and Navajo Nations. At least a half dozen state legislators representing parts of the county also have said they will attend.

At the federal level, Congressmen Ben Ray Lujan and Steve Pearce have stated they will be present. Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham and U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich will be represented by their respective district directors or field representatives.

The public is invited to attend and listen to the discussion, but there will be no public comment period. The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at Club Rio Rancho, 500 Country Club Drive, SE, in Rio Rancho.